How I Play: Datsik Interview

A few weeks ago we had a chance to sit down with the Canadian-based dubstep DJ and producer Datsik for an extensive interview. He dropped some great production knowledge in the interview, as well well as discussing how he performs live using Ableton Live, a Launchpad, and a custom mapping for a DJM-900.

Special thanks to Datsik for sitting down with us, as well as to the I Love This City festival in Mountain View for letting us film on location! You can check out and buy Datsik’s tracks, including the ones featured in this video, on his Beatport page!

I notice everyone hating on Datsik for some of his methods…
It’s called a jumping off point. He uses randomize to get a fresh start and
then modifies the sound from there. If anyone has ever attempted to
produce their own music without sampling other music, you know it’s a
very involved and tedious process. Randomizing stuff can help you
discover new methods and ideas.

“let he who is without sin cast the first stone”

i.e. as soon as you can produce and DJ as well as Datsik, then you can
talk shit, until then, shut up and gets ta practicing your craft and
quit trolling…

Also, why does everyone feel the need to critique DJTT. They are doing us all a GIANT favor. If you don’t like what they are doing for you, go find another sick blog with a ton of info about digital DJing… oh wait, that’s right. There isn’t one.

Cake

Digital DJ Tips? Digital DJ Tools? DJWorx (the new Skratchworx, which probably provides the best equipment of any dj site); Also, if we all abided by the ‘let who he is without sin cast the first stone’ bullshit, constructive criticism wouldn’t exist.

djworkz? which only provides news and product reviews??…no tutorials,no custom made products let alone any kind of products,no interaction/promoting dj controllersim,no extensive resources like dubspot or native instruments….sounds like djworkz is the best alternative to djtechtools…. lmao!! btw people proclaiming that dub is easy to produce and call it crap is not considered constructive criticism.

calkutta

DJWORX is riding in the ‘coat-tails’ of DJTT…like greatly stated above…unless you suck gizmo’s ego ‘or genitals’…he will black-list you if you dont ‘agree’ with the all knowing gizmo over a wack review,that was here on DJTT 6 months earlier.yet has footage of him skratching on you tube that is below C- average.jus get with it ,San Francisco has been ahead of the game in almost everything in the WORLD…half the shit yall doing they created the shit….he obviously trolls here a lot…

Civ142000

I don’t understand how people can ciritique something that is FREE!!!
If you don’t like it, don’t read it. Its really simple

Steve

Glad this interview is longer than some of the ones in the past – like actually hearing what incredible producers like DATSIK have to say as opposed to just cutting it out for a cooler-looking video

Jim

Great video. Thanks.

Dansac

Dubstep is awful to listen to …. so easy to produce tracks and churn out crap….!!
my ears are bleeding…. !

To be honest I don’t see their version of moombahton as “crossing genres” – ya it’s 110, but if a metal band played one song at 140 and another at 110, no one would think it different.
Yes, it’s different than traditional 140-150 d-step, but c’mon the synths are basically equal. Not to be a hater on anyone, I just think it’s silly to make it into some huge movement. “When i listen to music, bpm and genres are the last thing i worry about.” – Netsky

Arcrunner

a synth playing quater notes at 110 bpm equals triplet half notes at 140bpm. instant integration; just move the drum loops around to shift perception.

Troy is a super awesome guy. When I played with him on Global we got to talk a ton about production and dj theory. Back then he was playing using serato scratch live 2 cdj’s and an kontrol X1 for cue points and filters. I was using the same kind of setup prior to that and I was trying to convince him to use an S1. Very cool guy lots of good vibes!

Data Dude

what’s a S1?

jayowi

damn, great interview, expected him to be far more douchey. good stuff guys :D

iwaiwa

Here’s a (slow moving) but good video on showing what Massive’s Performer is:

Massive Performer – Advanced Bass Techniques

RockingClub

Thanks a lot DJTechtools for this video and especially for having a huge focus on both Djing AND PRODUCTION!